After we wrote the last entry we were told the next day by the fellow Australians that there was a tour bus hijack near the bell tower... because their family and friends sent them messages asking if they were ok. In China there was no coverage of the incident, and we were in the area two hours after it happened and nothing was up.
We saw the amazing Terracotta Warriors just outside of Xi'an. We got to see one of the farmer's who discovered them while digging a well. He is about 86 now. We were surprised that the warriors were originally painted. There are 3 pits currently being excavated and the whole area around where the emperor's tomb is located has archaeological relics - about a 10 km square.
We discovered Maky Bakery in Xi'an. China knows how to do custard stuff.
We experienced a traditional dumpling banquet in Xi'an, with dumplings often in the shape of their filling. e.g. duck, pig, cabbage, walnut, fish ...
We went for a bike ride around the top of the city wall in Xi'an - the only complete ancient city wall in China. The distance was about 16 km and we decided to take a bike for two. After a minor mishap of a blow out after 5 minutes, the attendants changed our bike at the next guard house/entry point. There was pain... lots of pain.
On the City Wall in Xi'an
The night flight to Guilin was suprisingly in a Boeing 767... much better than the anticipated light aircraft. This was followed by a 2 hour night minibus ride (all of the China-driving fun but none of the daylight) to Yangshuo.
Yangshuo is beautiful. Much less pollution, only 30, 000 population. There was greenery and incredible mountain formations. Mum decided to stay in while I went for a bike ride around town. The clouds decided to rain on the group on the way back - icy.
We also went to the Li River - as seen on the 20 Yuan note.
The train to Guanzhou didn't even have a space where the door should have been. But there seemed to be less smokers which meant a bit more sleep was had. 12 hours later, we got a bus and then a ferry to Hong Kong. Total time: 16 hours. Priceless.
l
R
x
(and Judy)
P.S. I think I might run out of adjectives soon...
We saw the amazing Terracotta Warriors just outside of Xi'an. We got to see one of the farmer's who discovered them while digging a well. He is about 86 now. We were surprised that the warriors were originally painted. There are 3 pits currently being excavated and the whole area around where the emperor's tomb is located has archaeological relics - about a 10 km square.
The Warriors in Pit 1
We discovered Maky Bakery in Xi'an. China knows how to do custard stuff.
We experienced a traditional dumpling banquet in Xi'an, with dumplings often in the shape of their filling. e.g. duck, pig, cabbage, walnut, fish ...
The fish dumplings
We went for a bike ride around the top of the city wall in Xi'an - the only complete ancient city wall in China. The distance was about 16 km and we decided to take a bike for two. After a minor mishap of a blow out after 5 minutes, the attendants changed our bike at the next guard house/entry point. There was pain... lots of pain.
On the City Wall in Xi'anThe night flight to Guilin was suprisingly in a Boeing 767... much better than the anticipated light aircraft. This was followed by a 2 hour night minibus ride (all of the China-driving fun but none of the daylight) to Yangshuo.
Yangshuo is beautiful. Much less pollution, only 30, 000 population. There was greenery and incredible mountain formations. Mum decided to stay in while I went for a bike ride around town. The clouds decided to rain on the group on the way back - icy.
We also went to the Li River - as seen on the 20 Yuan note.
The train to Guanzhou didn't even have a space where the door should have been. But there seemed to be less smokers which meant a bit more sleep was had. 12 hours later, we got a bus and then a ferry to Hong Kong. Total time: 16 hours. Priceless.
l
R
x
(and Judy)
P.S. I think I might run out of adjectives soon...
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